THE KARAITE ISRAEL MOSQUE OF ASCENSION

Prostration Prayer is one of the greatest outward signs in demonstrating devotion to the Lord. This most sacred form of worship was observed by all of the Prophets including the Messiah Jesus Christ:

MATTHEW 26:39(NEW TESTAMENT)' He(Jesus) went a little further and fell on his face and prayed.'

As an Israelite Jesus was only continuing that which was acknowledged by the Prophets Moses and Joshua:

EXODUS 34:8(OLD TESTAMENT)

' And Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped'

Joshua 5:14 (O.T)

'And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and did worship.....'...

The word Masjid or Mosque refers to the sacred place where prostration prayers take place.In terms of etymology the Semitic root of Misgad or Masjid(Mosque) can be traced back to the Aramaic Sejud meaning prostration. Since the Ancient Israelites were known to pray in the manner of prostration they logically prayed in a Mosque the place intended for Prostration Prayers.

Prostration Prayers were such a meaningful and important part of Israelite Prayer ritual that the Holy Quran preserves a reference from the Original Torah which describes the true believers as being those who are continuously engaged in Prostration Prayers. These true and dedicated servants of the Lord would receive prostration marks upon their foreheads known as a Sedj mark .

SURAH 48:29 HOLY KORAN(H.K.)

' ....You will see them bowing down,prostrating themselves,seeking grace from Allah and pleasure; their marks are in their faces because of the effect of prostration;that is their description in the(original) Torah....'

The Ethiopian Jews known as Beta Israel or Falashas practice one of the oldest forms of Judaism in the world. However they do not pray in a Synagogue or Beit Knesset but rather pray in a Misgad which is the Hebrew equivalent of Masjid or Mosque. misgad (מסגד)

In this regard one of the most important and distinct celebrations among the Ethiopian Jews is a festival known as SIGD which literally means prostration.

The Prophet Muhammad declared the entire world a Mosque. This act in itself now meant that Prostration Prayers could be performed outside the realm of the traditional Mosque.

SAHIH MUSLIM VOLUME 2 BOOK 5{522}"..... AND THE WHOLE EARTH HAS BEEN MADE A MOSQUE BEFORE US; AND ITS DUST HAS BEEN MADE A PURIFIER FOR US IN CASE WATER IS NOT AVAILABLE."